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Doctor cleared of plot 'can stay' | Doctor cleared of plot 'can stay' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Home Office is no longer seeking to deport a doctor cleared of plotting failed car bomb attacks in London and at Glasgow Airport. | |
Mohammed Asha, a neurologist from Jordan, was found not guilty of conspiracy to murder after the al-Qaeda inspired attacks in June 2007. | |
Despite the verdict, the government immediately sought to deport Dr Asha on national security grounds. | Despite the verdict, the government immediately sought to deport Dr Asha on national security grounds. |
The BBC understands his case, due to be heard in October, is being withdrawn. | The BBC understands his case, due to be heard in October, is being withdrawn. |
Burning jeep | |
Dr Asha was said in court to be a close friend of the bombers, Bilal Abdulla and Kafeel Ahmed, both of whom he had met in Cambridge. | |
He now hopes that he can resume his normal life as a family man and neurosurgeon Tayab Ali, part of Dr Asha's legal team | |
The bombers were arrested at Glasgow Airport on 30 June 2007, after they rammed the terminal building with a burning jeep. | The bombers were arrested at Glasgow Airport on 30 June 2007, after they rammed the terminal building with a burning jeep. |
Dr Asha was arrested later on the M6 motorway. He was accused of funding the plot and playing a supporting role. | Dr Asha was arrested later on the M6 motorway. He was accused of funding the plot and playing a supporting role. |
But at his trial, Dr Asha told the jury that his friendship with the men did not extend to supporting their violent aims. | But at his trial, Dr Asha told the jury that his friendship with the men did not extend to supporting their violent aims. |
He received the support of medical colleagues, one of whom supplied a glowing character reference, describing the Jordanian as having the potential to become the country's top neurologist. | He received the support of medical colleagues, one of whom supplied a glowing character reference, describing the Jordanian as having the potential to become the country's top neurologist. |
Decision welcomed | Decision welcomed |
Tayab Ali, one of Dr Asha's legal team, welcomed Friday's decision. | Tayab Ali, one of Dr Asha's legal team, welcomed Friday's decision. |
"Dr Asha always said he was innocent and that he was not a threat to national security," he told BBC News. | "Dr Asha always said he was innocent and that he was not a threat to national security," he told BBC News. |
"His position is now entirely vindicated. He now hopes that he can resume his normal life as a family man and neurosurgeon. | "His position is now entirely vindicated. He now hopes that he can resume his normal life as a family man and neurosurgeon. |
"We hope that the Home Office grants him indefinite leave to remain so that he can continue to be of benefit to the UK population as a highly-skilled NHS doctor." | "We hope that the Home Office grants him indefinite leave to remain so that he can continue to be of benefit to the UK population as a highly-skilled NHS doctor." |
Earlier this year lawyers for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which hears national security cases, that the doctor posed a threat and should be sent back to Jordan. | Earlier this year lawyers for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which hears national security cases, that the doctor posed a threat and should be sent back to Jordan. |
But Mr Justice Mitting bailed Dr Asha to a Birmingham address, pending a full hearing. | But Mr Justice Mitting bailed Dr Asha to a Birmingham address, pending a full hearing. |
Mr Asha worked as a junior doctor at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford before moving to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. | |
He was working at the latter hospital when he was arrested. | |
In July of this year the General Medical Council, responsible for approving doctors, reinstated Dr Asha to the medical register, meaning that he was free to practice again in the UK. | |
He is currently not working and his full immigration status is yet to be resolved. | He is currently not working and his full immigration status is yet to be resolved. |